Animal feeding device

ABSTRACT

An automatic tripping device for sequentially releasing a supporting floor member in a series of compartments to discharge the contents of the compartment. The floor member is supported by a tripping arm which is moved by a flexible cord being pulled from a curved dimension across a shorter straight line dimension. A solenoid device exerts the pulling force and after moving the tripping arm the slack in the flexible cord is taken up by a take up means to position the cord for tripping the next adjacent tripping arm.

United States Patent Kirk [54] ANIMAL FEEDING DEVICE [72] Inventor: Lloyd L. Kirk, Route 3, Box 326-C,

Paris, Wis. 54135 [22] Filed: Aug. 5, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 61,052

[52] US. Cl. ..119/5l.l3, 119/5l.14 [51] Int. Cl. ..A0lk 05/00 [58] Field of Search..ll9/5l.l 1, 51.12, 51.13, 51.14;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,585,371 2/1952 Cofiing ..119/51.13 X 2,538,413 1/1951 Chard ..1l9/51.14UX

[ 3,683,859 [451 Aug. 15, 1972 Primary Examiner-Hugh R. Chamblee Attorney-Neil E. Hamilton and! William A. Denny 57 [ABSTRACT An automatic tripping device for sequentially releasing a supporting floor member in a series of compartments to discharge the contents of the compartment. The floor member is supported by a tripping arm which is moved by a flexible cord being pulled from a curved dimension across a shorter straight line dimension. A solenoid device exerts the pulling force and after moving the tripping arm the slack in the flexible cord is taken up by a take up means to position the cord for tripping the next adjacent tripping arm.

1 1 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUBISIBYZ BEST AVAILABLE COPY 3.683.859 sum 1 m5 J m R. x 0 E m vx w e F v/W m a Z Q a E 0 z y M, Z 1 4 7 M w g T M L illl 5. M a d E 1 I i a llliwi 4 1 fl- 6 a (I M II I H .13. d1 I' 1 0 w 4/ ill: 1 4 Q3 4 74/ B 70:, 2% J A a a W 5% IT wnwnr Z A 2% Z F ,J :2

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an automatic tripping mechanism and more particularly, to an animal feeding device wherein a supporting floor is tripped and allowed to fall by means of gravity after being released by a flexible cord being pulled from a looped position to a straight position.

Animal feeding devices of the type concerned with in this invention are described in US. Pat. Nos. 461,457; 811,038; 1,192,677; 2,538,413; 2,585,371; and 3,180,318. US. Pat No. 81 1,038 discloses a weight tensioned line for opening a slide valve at a predetermined time so that feed is made available to an animal. This device has the disadvantage of being operable at the most for two feedings per day. Sequential type feeders are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 1,192,677 and 2,585,371. However, these mechanisms either involve problems with loading the feeders or the dependency of moving a tripping lug to contact a tripping arm. More sophisticated devices are shown in US. Pat. Nos. 3,180,318 and 2,538,413. However, these types of devices involve complicated tripping mechanisms for each feed hopper or as shown in US. Pat. No. 461,457, multiple components to effect the tripping. The prior art nowhere teaches a simplified device for sequentially tripping compa tments filled with feed wherein a single solenoid device can trip by means of a flexible cord 21 single compartment at a time yet can effectively trip several such compartments over a long period of time. There is presently not available an animal feeding device which can be effectively operated without utilizing expensive components whether of the electronic type or of the mechanical tripping variety. Neither is there available an automatic feeding device which can be manufactured economically, by utilizing the same electronic components to actuate several mechanisms and thus obviating numerous linkages, augers and solenoids.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel discharge device which has a minimum number of parts yet is reliable and effective in its operation. It is another object of this invention to provide an animal feeding device which can be filled and made operable in a simple manner. It is still another object of the present invention to provide an animal feeding mechanism which can be manufactured in an economical manner. It is yet another object of this invention to provide an animal feeder which is operable over a long period of time and is effective in discharging feed whether in large or small quantities or in large and small weights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ment. Electronic means are employed to actuate a signaling device if malfunction such as nonactuation of the solenoid or malfunction of any of the parts occurs at any time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS- 'II-lI OF FIG. 1.

FIG. III is a view in vertical section taken along line IIIIII of FIG. I.

FIG. IV is a view in horizontal section taken along line IV-IV of FIG. I. 1

FIG. V is a view in vertical section taken along line V-V of FIG. I. I

FIG. V1 is a diagramatic view of theelectrical circuitry showing the operation of the electrical actuation means for the tripping mechanism.

FIG. VII is a view in side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing some of the compartments in a tripped position.

FIG. VIII is a view in vertical section taken along line VIII VIII of FIG. VII.

FIG; IX is a view in horizontal section taken along line IX-IX of FIG. VII.

FIG. X is a top plan view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Proceeding to a detailed description of the present invention, the embodiment shown in FIGS. I-V and indicated generally by the number 10 comprises plurality of compartments 1! formed from a rectangular floor member 18 which is pivotally attached to the The foregoing objects are accomplished and the I horizontal partition 15 by means of hinges such as shown at 19. The numerals 20 represent bails of hay in the compartments which have not been released. Disposed laterally along an outside partition 16 and on the outside thereof is a timing device 22, a cut off switch 23 and an electrical actuating device 24 which serves to exert a pulling force on flexible cord means 25 extending along the front of the compartments 11 from the electrical actuating device 24 to cutoff switch 23. The flexible cord 25 is guided in the front of the compartments by guide members 26 which are loop type eyelets. They are disposed about two inches apart and centrally of each compartment 11 and adjacent a tripping arm 36 when the floor 18 is in a horizontal position. The tripping arm 36 is positioned about two inches inwardly of the eyelets 26. With these dimensions, the cord 25 engages arm 36 at a combined angle of about -60.

As best shown in FIG. 11, each compartment has a floor 18 which is supported by a movable tripping member 33 composed of pivotal bar 34 secured to a back horizontal member 1511 at one end and temporarily sustained in a horizontal position beneath floor 18 by pivotally attached tripping arm 36 at the opposite end. The pivoting of supporting rod 34 and tripping arm 36 is accomplished by pivot pin 39. It will be seen in FIG. II that floor 18 rests upon supporting rod 34 at a point adjacent to the pivoting hinge 35 by means of a strike plate 40. This is for the purpose of having a mechanical weight advantage away from tripping arm 36.

As illustrated in FIG. IV, spring tensioned clasping members 42 are disposed in a cut out section 43 in front horizontal member f. When a floor is in the supporting horizontal position, tripping arm 36 will be clasped between the two semi-circular portions 42a of the clasping member 42. As will be explained later in the operation, the distance that cord 25 extends from between the guides 26 adjacent cut out 43 and inwardly to the top of lifting arm 36 is vital.

Referring to FIGS. IV and V the means to provide a pulling force on the flexible cord 25 is a combined pulling and take-up means 24 composed of a solenoid 45 with pull arm 46 linked to a pull rod 47 by means of a U-type pin connection 48. The solenoid 45 has a pull stroke of three-fourths inch with a 7 pound pull. An appropriate slot is provided in support plate 49 for pull rod 47 upon which is mounted a limit switch 50. A biasing spring 52 is attached at one end in the corner of front horizontal partition 15f and to the end of take-up rod 54 which is secured to pull rod 47. Also carried by rod 47 is a switch tripping member 55. All of the foregoing elements are interconnected and secured to a base plate 57 which secures the assembly 24 to the side of horizontal partition 16. Projecting from the base plate 57 is an optional cord guide member 60 containing the usual eyelet 61. Cord 25 is wound around takeup rod 54 1% times and between vertically disposed ans spaced separating projections 63. It is retractively held over rod 54 by a suitable weight 65 which is about 6 to 8 ounces.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT In FIGS. VII-IX, a feeder is disclosed for use in automatically feeding grain to an animal in contrast to a hay feeding device 10 previously discussed in FIGS. I-V. In the grain feeding device generally 110, similar numbers will be indicated for similar parts as in the hay feeding device 10 except that they will be numbered in the 100 series. The grain feeder 110 comprises a plurality of vertically disposed bins or compartments 11 formed by vertical partitions 1 14 with side walls 116 and front and back walls 113 and 117, respectively. Another point of differentiation between feeder 10 and 110 is in the back sloping wall 117a to aid in the removal of grain 120 when bottom floor panel 118 is dropped as shown in the broken line position in FIG. VIII. Instead of spring type of clamping members 42a comprising a clasping member 42, floor 118 is secured across the bottom of each compartment 1 1 1 by an angled tripping arm 136 with a shoulder portion 136a supported by a ledge 113a formed in front wall 113. It will be noted in the grain feeder 1 10 that the extra supporting rod with the tripping arm such as used in 34 of the hay feeder 10 is not necessary. Thus, the floor 118 has the tripping arm 136 directly attached to the floor 118 by means of pivoting hinge 137 and is pivotally mounted on wall 1 17a by a hinge l 19. As will be seen in FIG. IX, flexible cord 125 is guided across the front of each compartment by means of guides 126 secured on projecting guide arms 127 which extend outwardly from the front wall 113 of unit 1 10.

In all respects, the means 124 to provide the pulling force and cord take-up in the grain feeder is exactly the same as described for the hay feeder 10 except solenoid 145 has a pull of 5 pounds. A timing device such as shown at 22 would of course be used and one minor modification is the placement of the stop switch 123 on an opposite wall from where the pulling force means 124 is disposed.

DESCRIPTION OF SECOND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring to the feeding unit 210 described in FIG. X, it will be noted that instead of the rectangular compartments 111 shown in unit 110, pie-shaped compartments 211 are disclosed for a circular type feeder. As in the previous alternative embodiment, similar numbers are employed for similar parts except they are numbered in the 200 series. In effect, unit 210 is a composite of both units 10 and 110 in that unit 210 has the horizontal ledge partitions around the circumference of the feeder as shown as 2l5f for supporting guide mem bers 226 for cord 225. As in the hay feeding unit 10, the tripping arms 236 are held in an upright position to close a bottom floor panel by means of spring clasps 242. The circular unit 210 will not have one compartment on top of the other as in the hay feeding device of number 10 but will be a single vertical compartment with single vertical partitions 214 as in the feeding device 110. A common element to both units 10 and 110 is the pull force and string take-up mechanism 224 described in unit 210 which is exactly the same as for I the previous units with the same parts being indicated.

DESCRIPTION OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY It will be apparent that in the feeding of many animals such as horses, both the hay feeding device 10 and the grain feeding device either 110 or 210 will be used together, thus two solenoid type pulling devices and string take-up means such as shown by the numbers 24 and 124 or 224 will be utilized. An explanation of the electrical circuitry for such two units and illustrating the use of a fail safe device will be shown by the following description of the circuitry shown in FIG. VI.

The power cable includes a pair of power lines 76 and 77 which would be connected by the usual means to a 115 volt AC source. The power lines 76 and 77 are connected across timer 22 which contains a three-way switch 22a which is a single-pole-double-throw type. Similar switches 50 and 150 are actuated by solenoids 45 and 145, respectively. Also interconnected in the circuitry and serving as a foolproofing means are circuit breakers and 81 which have a plunger such that when the circuitry comes loaded with more current than what the circuit breakers are rated at, the breaker becomes actuated by pushing a plunger out of its case ment. Circuit breakers 80 and 81 will be placed side by side so that if either or both breakers are activated the plungers will either or both actuate a microswitch 83 which is of the leaf-spring actuated type. Numeral indicates an alarm which can be a light or a sounding type alarm. A resistance shown at 88 is provided to a switch which is used in conjunction with the delayrelay 89.

OPERATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A better understanding of the advantages of unit will be had by a description of its operation. All of the compartments 11 will be filled with a ball of hay 20, the size of the bail depending upon how much is to be fed at one feeding to the animal. All of the bottom floors 18, or supporting members, will be in a closed position as indicated in FIG. ll. At predetermined intervals which will be set by a timer 22, a signal will be sent to solenoid 45. Actuation of the solenoid 45 will cause pull bar 46 to move in a direction toward the solenoid housing 45a, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. V, and also pull bars 47 and 54 in the same direction. This will exert a pulling force on cord 25 causing it to pull across two adjacent guides 26 disposed across a cut out 43. Tripping arms 36 which serve as movable members to hold support members 18 will thus be pulled out of the clasps of spring clasp 42. The weight of the hay 11 will cause the floor 18 to drop and the hay to be deposited in a feeding manger. The slack in the line will immediately be taken up by the falling of weight 65 and at the same moment trip member 55 will contact switch 50 to throw it and deenergize solenoid 45. Spring 52 will then pull the arm 54 back to its original position and the cord will be in a taught position across the guides 26. It will thus be ready to trip the next adjacent compartment as specifically shown in FIG. IV. This sequence of pulling and slack line take-up will start with the tripping of the compartment 66v adjacent pulling mechanism 66 and will continue until all of the compartments are emptied of hay. Upon actuation of the solenoid to pull the last tripping arm 36 such as that adjacent the timer 22 in FIG. I, a switch such as'23 will be opened to shut off the circuit and prevent any further actuation of the solenoid. An advantage of the unit shown in FIG. 1 is that compartments can be stacked upon each other and the lower compartments used as conduits for the hay in the upper compartment to fall through as shown in the two upper and lower compartments shown adjacent the timer 22 in FIG. I.

After pulling of the line 25, the slack which will be the difference in distance between the two adjacent guides 26 and the distance the cord 25 is looped from the guides to around the trip arm 36, will effectively be taken up by the weighted cord around rod 54. When solenoid 45 is again actuated it will pull cord 25 from between the next adjacent guides 26 and will not pull the weight up.

OPERATION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT The operation of units 110 and 210 will be the same as described for unit 10 in that they employ the unique pulling and take-up cord mechanism 124 and 224 and the sequential tripping of arms 136 and 236 by pulling a bent or looped portion of cord 125 and 225 across tripping arms 136 or 236. As indicated previously, the trip cords I25 and 225 will operate in only a single plane as all of the compartments 111 and 211 are on one level.

6 OPERATION OF CIRCUITRY With the. circuit plugged into the l volt alternating current source, the timer 22 is energized and because its ohmage value which is 800 ohms there is 0.143 amps going through the timer constantly. With adjustable trippers which are common to such device fixed to designated times, a tripping will cause switch 22a to flip to the alternate contact point. The switch 22a remains 7 this way until the next tripping at which time the tripping contact 220 will flip back to its original position. Using letters X and Y to designate contact points for the respective switches, except for fractions of a second at each tripping, switches: 22a and 50 will have alternate contacts matching, for example, W to Z or X to Y. No current can flow through solenoid 45 because no current can flow through switches 22a and 50 which makes for an incomplete circuit. When the timer 22 is stripped, switch 22a changes contact position. If the contact arm had been at W it now goes to X and there fore X now matches Z which produces a current path to complete the circuit. This action energizes the solenoids 45 and 145. If the contact arm had been at X first, then it would go to W which matches Y and also mechanically to the solenoid 45) is forced to change contact so that again W matches Z and X matches Y.

The circuit is now open until the next tripping.

Solenoid 145 and switch 150 operate and perform just like solenoid 45 and its accompanying switch 50. Solenoid 145 is in parallel with timer 22 and solenoid 45 and operates independently of solenoid 45. Typical values of the solenoids 45 and 145 are 74 hrns and 21 ohms, respectively, which means that when each are energized momentarily, 1.55 amps goes through solenoid 45 and 5.5amps goes through solenoid 145. The total current load is 7.19 amps which is drawn from the source of only a split second while 0.143 amps is drawn from the source for the entire time the unit is plugged in.

The means for foolproofing the circuitry in the sense that an alarm would be signaled if a malfunction occurred will now be explained. The parts for the foolproofing are 83, 80, 89, 81, 85 and 88. Switch 83 is a microswitch with a leaf-spring actuation of the contacts. It is a single pole-double throw or three-way switch. Under normal operation this switch is not actuated so that a currect is produced through circuit breaker Circuit breaker .80 and 81 will shut down their respective portions of the circuit should an overload occur. Circuit breaker 81 is :not absolutely necessary but does separate the timer 22 from the solenoids 45 and 145 and their respective switches 50 and H50. For the circuit values already discussed, circuit breaker 80 should be rated at 9 or W amps and circuit breaker 81 or 8 or 9 amps, respectively. Under normal circum stances, circuit breaker 81 should blow before circuit breaker 80 if circuit breaker 81 is used to indicate tron-- ble anywhere other than the timer 22.

When an overload occurs, the plungers on the circuit breakers 80 and 8t will either or both actuate the microswitch 83 leaf-spring actuator and cause contact with contact 830. When this happens the whole circuit is isolated and the alarm 85 which is a light or possibly a sounding alarm is connected across the voltage bar to warn someone that there is trouble. Resistance 88 al- 92 causing circuit breaker 81 to break the circuit thus actuating the alarm. If switches 50 and 150 malfunction in the sense that they will not switch, then when the timer 22 trips switch 22a so that current can go through switch 220, switch 50 and switch 150, the bad switch 50 or 150 wont flip the circuit off when the proper solenoid tries to flip it so that in 2 seconds circuit breaker 81 breaks putting on the alarm. Electrically, if solenoids 45 or 145 shorts out, circuit breaker 80 will catch this fault. If solenoids 45 or 145 develops an open circuit, then when the timer 22 trips switch 22a and solenoid 45 has developed an open circuit no current can go through the solenoid 45. Thus, 45 solenoid stays deenergized and does not flip switch 50. At the same time solenoid 145 is energized and does flip switch 150. There is also a current path from point 93 to point 94 so that solenoid 145 remains energized with current going through switch 50. When the timer 22 trips, the delay-relay 89 starts to heat up. If within 2 seconds switches 50 and 150 havent flipped to the opposite position that timer switch 22a is in, switch 89a will close and short out the delay-relay 89 and also solenoid 145. Circuit breaker 81 then starts off the indicated alarm.

Solenoids 45 and 145 are also mechanically foolproof. If they dont pull their plungers 46 and 146 in because of some entanglement or friction, then they cannot flip their respective switches 50 and 150 and delay-relay 89 shorts out causing circuit breaker 81 to set off the alarm.

To have the previously described feeder system work in a proper manner, there are a number of factors that must cooperate for smooth operation. There are the two factors of the solenoid such as 45 which include: First, the strength of the pull and, second, the length of the pull. Third, there is the weight or tension of the take-up device as represented by rod 54, projections 63 and weight 65. Fourth, the number of turns of the cord 25 on rod 54 and around projections 63. Fifth, the straight distance of eyelets 26 adjacent to tripping arm 36 versus the hooked distance from one of the eyelets 26 to the tripping arm 36 and back to the other eyelet 26. Sixth, the angle of the bent cord 25b as specifically shown in FIG. 4 with the untripped compartment 11. In explanation of the foregoing factors, the solenoid 45 can be too weak but it is doubtful that it can be too strong. The length of the solenoid pull is very critical with regard to the hooked or bent line 25b. For example, if the hooked line distance is greater than the straight line distance of three-fourths of an inch and a solenoid with a one inch pull is employed, then one compartment will trip and so will the next one in line because there is still a one-fourth inch for the plunger to pull on the cord. On the other hand, the length can be too short whereby not enough length of cord is pulled to overcome the spring clasps 42a or inertia coinciding with the tripping arm 36. The number of turns of the cord 25 around rod 54 works very closely with the weight or tension of the take-up device which includes the rod 54 and weight 65. If there are too many turns, then in most instances the tension device wont take all the slack out of the line up to the next tripping arm with the next proximate eyelet 26. In this case, the solenoid might not be able to pull up the slack and accomplish the tripping also. In the instance of too few turns, this might allow the take-up device to give way before the tripping arm accomplishes the tripping and thus no feed would drop. Too much weight or tension might pop the next tripping arm and release it when the slack is being taken up during an adjacent compartment tripping. Too little tension wont accomplish the slack take-up at all.

The angle of the bent cord is also somewhat important. The more near to a straight line it is the greater force is required to pop the feed tripping arm 36. Somewhere between 180 (a straight line) and 0 (two parallel cords going around the tripping arm with the guide eyelets 26 or 126 close together) is a good compromise. Also the perpendicular distance from the eyelets 26 to the tripping arm 36 is important in that if it is too long, too much cord is taken up by the take-up device and this limits the number of compartments more so than if minimum bending is used. This is due to the fact that a weight such as could hit the floor or a spring take-up loses too much spring action in too fast of a manner.

As will be indicated to one skilled in the art, any number of compartments such as shown at 11 can be arranged either in side-by-side positions or in top of each other in rows or two, three, four and more while utilizing the same cord and tripping mechanism. This has the very definite economic advantage. In a like manner numerous chambers can be aligned adjacent each other such as shown in unit 110. All of the embodiments described are easy to operate in that they can be loaded in a very simple manner and the tripping mechanism with the lift arms 36, 136 and 236 supported in a quick and easy manner with their respective cords engaged around them. Any types of materials can be sequentially dropped from the compartments whether it be feed or medicated feed supplement. If desired, the compartments could be refrigerated to convey perishable dog or cat food or the perishable food can be sealed in heavy waxed Baggies and these dropped to the animal which tears them open. Further, two or more separate units can be operated simultaneously or sequentially.

All of the parts employed in all of the units are readily available on the open market. The timing device 22 is a SPDT general purpose type available from Intermatic. The solenoids 24, 124 and 224 are of the AC intermittent variety manufactured by Guardian and the limit switches 50, 150 and 250 are manufactured by Licon and are of the Push-Push SPDT variety. In the embodiments, a weight 65 with a string 25 looped over a pull bar 54 and separated by partitions 63 is described as take-up means for tripping cord. In the alternative, a recoil type take-up device could be used such as those employed to attach keys to a cord for extension from ones pocket. The cords 25, 125 and 225 are of the minimum stretch variety composed of nylon/plastic and manufactured by Garcia. However, other flexible type and durable cord members such as cable (light, flexible) could be utilized in their place.

Circuit breakers 80 and 81 are of the plunger type and are available from Little Fuse, Inc. The time delayrelay 89 is of the thermal variety and can be obtained from Amperite. Microswitch 83 is sold under the name Microswitch and manufactured by Cherry Elec. Prod. Corp.

It will thus be seen that through the present invention that is now provided an effective yet inexpensive feeding device which can be operated from a single tripping mechanism. The units can be made to any desirable size and quantity with a single power source yet are readily manufactured from available materials. The units are simple to handle and are virtually fail safe. The unique. tripping mechanism lends itself to a variety of geometric configurations and yet does not require special adaptations or extra tripping mechanisms.

The foregoing invention can now be practiced by those skilled in the art. Such skilled persons will know that the invention is not necessarily restricted to the particular embodiments presented herein. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the terms of the following claims as given meaning by the preceding description.

lclaim:

1. An automatic tripping device for sequentially releasing supporting members comprising movable members to hold said supporting membersin a first position, flexible means anchored at one end and disposed in an angular engaging manner with respect to said movablemember and adapted to exert a pulling force on at least one of said movable members while permitting said other movable member to remain in a holding position and means attached to the other end of said flexible means to provide a pulling force on said flexible means to unlatch said movable member and allow said supporting members to drop by gravity to a second position and a means to retract a determined linear amount of said flexible means.

2. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible means is a cord-having minimum stretch.

3.- The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable means to hold said supporting members further includes a pivotal tripping arm.

4. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 3 wherein said pivotal tripping arm is temporarily held by a spring tension member and said flexible means is disposed in an angled manner to engage said tripping arm.

5. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 3 wherein said pivotal tripping arm is temporarily held by a shoulder portion disposed on a supporting surface and said flexible means is disposed in an angled manner to engage said tripping arm. 6. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting members form the floor of a series of compartments constructed and arranged to hold animal feed, said floor being pivotally attached to a frame work forming said compartment.

7. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 6 wherein said movable means to hold said supporting members includes a pivotal supporting rod attached to a tripping arm and saidfloor is pivotally attached to said frame work at opposite sides of said compartment.

8. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 7 wherein a plurality of said compartments are positioned in vertical alignment so that material placed in an upward compartment will fall through a lower bottom compartment when the floor of said bottom compartment is open.

9. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to provide a pulling force on said flexible means is a solenoid and said means to retract a determined linear amount of said flexible means is a flexible line take-up device.

10. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 9 further including means responsive to nonactuation.

of said tripping device to actuate a signalling device.

1 l. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 6 wherein a plurality of said compartments are positioned in a circular manner. 

1. An automatic tripping device for sequentially releasing supporting members comprising movable members to hold said supporting members in a first position, flexible means anchored at one end and disposed in an angular engaging manner with respect to said movable member and adapted to exert a pulling force on at least one of said movable members while permitting said other movable member to remain in a holding position and means attached to the other end of said flexible means to provide a pulling force on said flexible means to unlatch said movable member and allow said supporting members to drop by gravity to a second position and a means to retract a determined linear amount of said flexible means.
 2. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible means is a cord having minimum stretch.
 3. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said movable means to hold said supporting members further includes a pivotal tripping arm.
 4. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 3 wherein said pivotal tripping arm is temporarily held by a spring tension member and said flexible means is disposed in an angled manner to engage said tripping arm.
 5. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 3 wherein said pivotal tripping arm is temporarily held by a shoulder portion disposed on a supporting surface and said flexible means is disposed in an angled manner to engage said tripping arm.
 6. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said supporting members form the floor of a series of compartments constructed and arranged to hold animal feed, said floor being pivotally attached to a frame work forming said compartment.
 7. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 6 wherein said movable means to hold said supporting members includes a pivotal supporting rod attached to a tripping arm and said floor is pivotally attached to said frame work at opposite sides of said compartment.
 8. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 7 wherein a plurality of said compartments are positioned in vertical alignment so that material placed in an upward compartment will fall through a lower bottom compartment when the floor of said bottom compartment is open.
 9. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to provide a pulling force on said flexible means is a solenoid and said means to retract a determined linear amount of said flexible means is a flexible line take-up device.
 10. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 9 further including means responsive to nonactuation of said tripping device to actuate a signalling device.
 11. The automatic tripping device as defined in claim 6 wherein a plurality of said compartments are positioned in a circular manner. 